Test cricket has always been considered the most challenging format of cricket. It is due to the great amount of skill, stamina, and accuracy involved in it. Test cricket also demands longevity from a player to be successful in it. Therefore, only a combination of these traits can help a player sustain at the highest level.

Here, in this article, we look at some of the longest serving Srilankan cricketers in Test cricket and their records in the most demanding format.

1. Mahela Jayawardene (149 Matches)

It would be incorrect to talk of Srilankan cricket and not mention Mahela Jayawardene. He graced the game for 18 majestic years and played 149 test matches, the most by a Srilankan. He made his test debut against India on August 2, 1997 in Colombo. He amassed 11814 runs with a staggering average of 49.84 and 34 centuries with the best score of 374. He retired from test cricket in August, 2014.

2. Kumar Sangakkara (134 Matches)

Kumar Sangakkara, considered one of the most elegant left-handers of all time, was of no match, and his numbers are testimony to that. He was simply pleasing to the eye and played 134 Tests for Srilanka, the second highest to date. Having made his Test debut back in 2000, he continued to play till 2015 and gathered 12400 runs at an astonishing average of 57.40. Apart from his batting, he was a prolific wicket keeper, and one of the best, if not the best.

3. Mutthiah Muralidharan (132 Matches)

Talk of the art of spin bowling and you have Muralidharan in your imagination. That is the kind of aura he created. He represented Srilanka in whites from 1992 to 2010 with a total of 132 matches. He is the only bowler in test cricket history to have scalped 800 wickets. He did so at an average of 22.72 with an economy of 2.47. He also picked up a mammoth 67 five-wicket hauls with his best figures of 9/51 in an innings. He was majestic throughout his 19-year-old test tenure.

4. Chaminda Vaas (111 Matches)

Chaminda Vaas is the only genuine fast bowler to make it into this list. The fact that he is on the list justifies his stature as a bowler. Vaas represented Srilanka in test cricket for 16 years and played 111 matches, a remarkable feat for any fast bowler. He picked up 355 wickets at an average of 29.58 and an economy of 2.68, and 12 five-wicket hauls.

5. Sanath Jayasuriya (110 Matches)

Next on the list is one of the most aggressive and blistering openers in world cricket, Sanath Jayasuriya. He made his debut against New Zealand in 1991 and played his last match in 2007 against England. He piled up 6973 runs at an average of 40.07, picking up 98 wickets. He was indeed a resourceful player throughout his career.

6. Angelo Mathews (98 Matches)

Angelo Mathews is the only one on the list currently playing for Srilanka in test cricket. He began his test career in 2009 against Pakistan at Galle and is considered a solid and valuable middle-order batsman. He has amassed 6867 runs till now with an impressive average of 45.78, including 13 centuries.  While he has 33 wickets to his name, he had to give up bowling due to injury and to prolong his career in the longest format.

7. Rangana Herath (93 Matches)

From being seen as a support for Muralidharan, to becoming Srilanka’s premier spin bowler, Herath has seen everything. He was able to play a staggering 93 tests for his country, proving his mettle and longevity in the most demanding format. He represented Srilanka in test cricket for a whopping 20 years (1999 – 2018), proving he was in for the long haul. He picked up 433 wickets, including 34 five-wicket hauls, at an average of 28.07.

8. Arjuna Ranatunga (93 Matches)

The world-cup-winning captain of Srilanka holds a special place in the hearts of Srilankan fans. It does not end there, however. He played an astonishing 93 tests for his nation too! He represented Srilanka in tests from 1982 to 2000, gathering 5105 runs at an average of 35.69. He was a great leader and a team player.

9. Aravinda De Silva (93 Matches)

He made his test debut in 1984 and retired in 2002.During his 18-year stint with the test team, he made 6361 runs at an average of 42.97 with 20 centuries. He was considered physically short in stature, but this did not deter him from showcasing his skills with the bat. He held both the bowling team and the audience in rapt attention.

10. Marvan Atapattu (90 Matches)

With a vulnerable start to his international career, Atapattu quickly rose among the ranks and became Srilanka’s most trusted opener in tests. Having made his test debut in 1990, he played till 2007, complementing his ferocious partner, Sanath Jayasuriya. He made 5502 runs in his Test career at an average of 39.02 and was famous for his daddy hundreds. He had, to his name, six double hundreds by the time he retired.